Identity Theft Awareness Week

Identity Theft Awareness Week:
Protecting What Matters Most

In today’s digital world, protecting your identity has never been more important. Identity theft can happen to anyone, disrupting lives and causing financial and emotional distress. That’s why Identity Theft Awareness Week serves as a vital reminder to safeguard your personal information and take proactive steps to reduce risk.

Why Identity Theft Awareness Matters

Each year, millions fall victim to identity theft, with fraudsters using stolen information to open accounts, make unauthorized purchases, or even commit crimes under a false identity. The consequences can be long-lasting, impacting your credit score, financial stability, and peace of mind.

The good news? Awareness and prevention go hand in hand. By understanding the risks and taking preventive measures, you can significantly reduce your chances of becoming a target.

How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

  1. Be Mindful Online
    • Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts and enable two-factor authentication.
    • Avoid sharing personal information on social media, such as your address or phone number.
    • Steer clear of suspicious emails, links, and pop-up ads that could be phishing scams.
  2. Secure Your Physical Data
    • Shred old documents containing personal information, such as bills or bank statements. Keep an eye out for more information regarding Fleetwood Bank’s next Annual Shred event, which is free to attend and open to our entire community, taking place on Saturday, May 31 from 9 AM to 11 AM at our Blandon Office. Follow our Facebook page or subscribe to our newsletter for more details as the event gets closer. 
    • Lock your mailbox and opt for paperless billing to reduce the risk of stolen mail.
  3. Monitor Your Accounts
    • Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions.
    • Sign up for credit monitoring services to get alerts about any unusual activity.
  4. Stay Alert in Public Spaces
    • Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions; use a VPN for added security.
    • Be cautious at ATMs and point-of-sale terminals, looking out for tampering or skimming devices. This can happen to anyone – anytime, anywhere. Click here to learn more about a skimming device that was found on a local Santander Bank ATM in the photo section of the CVS store on Constitution Blvd. in Kutztown, PA in December 2024.
  5. Know the Signs of Identity Theft
    • Unexpected charges or withdrawals from your account. Stay vigilant by regularly checking your balance with our online banking.
    • Missing bills or mail.
    • Notifications about accounts you didn’t open or loans you didn’t apply for.

Are You Ready to Learn More?

Check out Identity Theft Awareness Week, starting Monday, January 27! During the week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and its partners will host free webinars and events to help you:

  • Spot common scams.
  • Avoid and report fraud.
  • Recover from identity theft effectively.

Sharable Graphic: Identity Theft Awareness Week January 29 - February 2, 2024

What to Do If You’re a Victim

If you suspect identity theft, act quickly by following these four steps:

  • STEP 1 – PROTECT YOURSELF:
    • Place a fraud alert on your credit report with the major credit bureaus — These include Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
    • Equifax can be reached by calling 800.525.6285 or mailing Equifax Consumer Fraud Division, P.O. Box 740256 Atlanta, GA 30374. Experian can be reached by calling 888.397.3742 or by mailing Experian National Consumer Assistance, P.O. Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013. TransUnion can be reached by calling 800.680.7289 or by mailing TransUnion Fraud Victim Assistance Department, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016.
    • Some insight from Phil Courtney, Fleetwood Bank’s Compliance Manager & Loan Administration Manager: “The bureaus can also add a credit freeze, in addition to a fraud alert, for additional security. You need to place a credit freeze individually at each bureau. If you place a fraud alert at one bureau, they will notify the other two for you. You can also contact FICO, which is technically a credit reporting agency since they generate the ‘score.”

 

  • STEP 2 – REPORT TO THE AUTHORITIES:
    • Report the issue to Fleetwood Bank and any other banks you may use, credit card companies, and credit grantors.
    • File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at identitytheft.gov.
    • File a report with local law enforcement.

 

  • STEP 3 – CORRECT INACCURACIES:
    • Request a copy of your credit report from credit bureaus.
    • Contact companies you don’t recognize on your credit report.
    • Request credit bureaus remove fraudulent activity on your credit report.
    • Change passwords to any and all financial accounts.

 

  • STEP 4 – FOLLOW UP AND STAY VIGILANT:
    • Follow up with all of the institutions you contacted.
    • Monitor statements for unusual or unknown activity.

Additional Resources:

Banks Never Ask That

The American Bankers Association (ABA) offers valuable resources on their website, helping you understand the red flags of fraud and how to respond.

Identity Theft Resource Center

The ITRC is a non-profit organization established to minimize risk and mitigate the impact of identity compromise.

Identity Theft

Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office has created a comprehensive web-based Identity Theft Toolkit to help the
people of the Commonwealth protect themselves.

Identity Theft & Your SSN

Social Security Administration provides a brochure detailing steps that should be taken regarding identity theft and your social security number.

 

  • National Elder Fraud Hotline: This toll-free hotline provides support to seniors who may have been victims of financial fraud. Reach them directly at 833.372.8311.

 

  • Shared Check Authorization Network (SCAN) can quickly determine whether or not your checks have been fraudulently used in the United States. Contact them if you think someone is writing checks in your name: 800.262.7771.

Fleetwood Branch Flooding Update: The Fleetwood Branch is open, including the drive-thru, as of Monday, February 10.

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